Trial begins for Live Oak man accused of killing roommate

SANTA CRUZ &GT;&GT; Jury selection began Monday in the 2010 slaying of Live Oak man Robert Burr.

Louis Nicholas "Nick" Kusalich, 53, of Live Oak, stands accused of killing Burr, his housemate at the time, with a hammer at their Koopman Avenue home. Kusalich then allegedly dumped the 50-year-old Burr's body on Kusalich's father's property on Glen Haven Road in the Soquel Hills, according to police reports.

Once a jury is chosen, the trial is expected to begin by July 7, prosecutor Charlie Baum said.

Kusalich, who is being held in the Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail, is charged with murder and faces life in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.